Agriculture
23 September, 2024
Strong finish to local ram sale season
THE Loddon’s Merino ram sale season finished with a flurry at Kamarooka Park on Tuesday with a 90 per cent clearance of the 50-lot offering. Local buyers were again to the fore as were farmers from south-east South Australia who have targeted...
THE Loddon’s Merino ram sale season finished with a flurry at Kamarooka Park on Tuesday with a 90 per cent clearance of the 50-lot offering.
Local buyers were again to the fore as were farmers from south-east South Australia who have targeted Loddon progeny at sales this year.
Equal top price of $3200 was paid by Loddon farmers.
Nyton Park Agriculture, Boort, was the highest bidder on lot 21 - a 19.3 micron June 2023 drop with Ridgeway Advance bloodlines. The ram with a comfort factor of 99.8 sold for $3200.
The Knight brothers Alistair, Richard and Jason also purchased another five rams at the sale.
And 14 lots later, Woodstock’s Nick Punton won a spirited contest to snare a May 2023 drop 18.9 micron ram with Banavie genetics to match the early high price of the sale.
Alistair said his partnership was attracted to the ram for its big frame and bright wool style.
“We have been traditionally in the 18-21 micron range and are now transitioning to dual-purpose sheep. This ram should assist with fast growth in lambs ... the eye and muscle measurements certainly point to early growth,” he said.
“We’ve been known for our bright fleeces and the Kamarooka Park rams should also help with keeping that characteristic.”
The Puntons, Nick and father Bill, are regular buyers at Kamarooka Park and this year left the sale with six new rams.
Nick said Kamarooka Park genetics continued to grow their dual-purpose flock.
Tuesday’s sale also saw Mount East Ada Poll Stud, Goorambat near Benalla, among the buyers.
Owner and studmaster Sam Burston said he had been looking to introduce Kamarooka Park progeny into the family stud he had been managing since 2016.
Kamarooka Park studmaster Erroll Hay said he was delighted with the sale and its strong clearance. “There have been challenges this selling season. This was my best draft yet and it was pleasing to see 40 out of 50 rams sold under the hammer.”
McKean McGregor conducted the sale.